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Bound by a contract, torn by the past, and tested by fate--is a second chance at love worth fighting for? Vanya Moon never imagined she would marry the man who once broke her heart. But when Rex Patterson, a billionaire with icy charm, offers a deal to save her brother's failing business, she has no choice. Their marriage is strictly business, yet old feelings resurface-passion, pain, and a love neither can forget. As hidden truths emerge and family pressures mount, their fragile bond is tested. When Rex discovers Vanya's secret-twin sons he never knew-he must fight to win her trust and reclaim their love. Will their second chance be enough to heal the wounds of the past?
The scent of vanilla candles filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of the chocolate cake Vanya Moon had baked herself. The dining table in her small apartment was decorated with gold balloons and streamers. A carefully wrapped box sat in the center, containing the custom watch she'd spent months saving for.
Tonight, she had everything planned. It wasn't just Rex Patterson's birthday-it was the night she was going to tell him their lives were about to change forever.
She glanced at her reflection in the mirror one last time, smoothing down her navy-blue dress. A tiny flutter of nerves tickled her stomach, but she brushed it aside. Rex loved her. She was certain of it.
Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts.
"Are you on your way?" she asked, her voice filled with excitement.
There was a pause. "I'll see you soon," Rex said, his tone oddly curt. Before she could ask what was wrong, the line went dead.
*********
THREE HOURS LATER
The candles had burned halfway down, the cake untouched. Vanya's excitement had given way to confusion, then worry. She dialed Rex's number again, but it went straight to voicemail.
Her phone chimed. She lunged for it, hoping it was him.
It wasn't. It was a text.
"Check the kitchen counter."
Frowning, Vanya walked over to find a single envelope propped against the wall. Her name was scrawled across the front in Rex's familiar handwriting.
Her fingers shook as she opened it, dread settling in her chest like a stone.
"Vanya, I can't do this anymore. Please don't look for me. I'm sorry. -Rex"
She blinked, reading it again, then again, hoping the words would change.
"What...?" she whispered, her breath hitching.
She grabbed her phone, redialing his number. This time, the robotic voice on the other end crushed her hope entirely: "The number you are trying to reach is no longer in service."
"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "No, no, no!"
Her heart pounded as she grabbed her coat and keys, her mind a blur of questions and fears.
*********
The imposing iron gates to Rex's estate were as cold and unyielding as the security guards standing in front of them.
"I need to see Rex," Vanya said, desperation lacing her voice.
The taller of the two guards shook his head. "Mr. Patterson left strict instructions not to let anyone in."
"Not anyone! I'm his girlfriend!" she snapped, clutching the bars of the gate.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," the guard replied, his tone firm but not unkind.
Vanya stepped back, tears stinging her eyes. "Please," she begged. "I need to talk to him. There's been a mistake."
"There's nothing I can do."
Her knees felt weak, but she refused to let them buckle. She stared at the mansion in the distance, her chest heaving with sobs. The man she loved, the man who had promised her forever, had disappeared without an explanation.
Her trembling hand fell to her stomach as she felt more than the pain of heartbreak.
*********
FIVE YEARS LATER
The sound of clinking glasses filled the conference room as Vanya Moon exchanged firm handshakes with the investors seated around the table. She exuded calm confidence in her tailored black blazer, but beneath her polished exterior, the pressure of the moment weighed heavily.
"Thank you for your time, gentlemen," she said, her tone crisp.
The investors nodded, but their expressions were hesitant. They'd heard the whispers about MoonTech's financial troubles, and the doubts in their eyes made it clear that Vanya had a steep hill to climb.
As the room emptied, her younger brother Damon leaned closer to her, his face etched with worry.
"Vanya, you don't have to do this anymore," he said, his voice low. "You've already sacrificed so much for me-for the company. It's not your responsibility to fix this."
She turned to him, her dark eyes blazing with determination. "You think I'm just going to walk away?"
"Vanya-"
She cut him off, gripping his hand tightly. "Listen to me, Damon. I'm not giving up until you're debt-free, even if it means I have to-"
Her words were interrupted by the sound of the TV in the corner of the room.
"Breaking news," the anchor announced. The screen cut to a photo of a man with sharp features, perfectly styled hair, and a smirk that made Vanya's stomach churn.
Rex Patterson.
Her breath hitched as the image flashed across the screen. The voice of the anchor continued, oblivious to the storm raging inside her.
"Billionaire mogul Rex Patterson is making headlines yet again as investors pour billions into Patterson Empire, citing his unmatched vision and leadership. Sources say this deal could mark one of the largest investments in the company's history."
Vanya stared at the screen, her pulse pounding in her ears. Rex looked smug and untouchable, his wealth and power on full display for the world to see.
Her grip on the edge of the table tightened as a bitter resolve hardened in her chest.
"Vanya," Damon said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You've done enough. You don't have to-"
She cut him off, her voice firm and unwavering.
"Even if it means I have to dine with the devil himself."
She was betrayed, reborn, and given a second chance-not for love, but for justice. Will her vengeance consume her, or will she rewrite her destiny? Betrayed by her mate and best friend, Lira's life ends in a pool of her own blood and broken dreams. Her mate's rejection and the loss of her unborn child shatter her soul. In her dying breath, she calls upon the Moon Goddess for justice. The goddess answers, granting her rebirth-but not as the weak mate she once was. Now reborn as Nora Moonblood, Luna to ruthless and fearsome Alpha of their pack, Lira must navigate a web of loyalty, revenge, and new love. With her past life's memories intact, she sets out to unravel shocking truths about her past, her death, her present and forge a path of vengeance. Will she bring her betrayers to justice or find healing in her new life?
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true stature—the wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"
When Corynn mustered up the courage to tell Elliot about her pregnancy, she unexpectedly found him gallantly helping another woman from his car. Her heart sank as three years of effort to secure his love crumbled before her eyes, compelling her to leave him behind. Three years later, life had taken Corynn down a new path with someone else, while Elliot was left grappling with regret. Seizing a moment of vulnerability, he pleaded, "Corynn, let's get married." Shaking her head with a faint smile, Corynn gently replied, "Sorry, I'm already engaged."
"I, Riccardo Saviano, future Alpha of the Grey Shadow Moon Pack, reject you, Artemisia Guerrieri, Daughter of Alpha Franco of the Blood Moon Pack, as my mate and future Luna." One single sentence. One stupid single sentence was all it took to disintegrate my life. And the day of my birthday, on which this sentence was audaciously uttered to me, I lost the love of my life, my future mate, and my wolf, all at once. As I'm still assembling the pieces of my shattered heart years later, there they come. Like lightning out of a crystal blue sky. My Mates. But wait... If I am mated to triplets, how come I'm about to be mated to 5 gorgeous men? *** TW: explicit and foul language; spicy content; explicit sex scenes ***